Five Pakistani army majors also feature in the list of India's top 50 wanted men, some of whom are believed to be hiding in Pakistan soil, according to Times Now.

Hafiz Saeed, who is involved in Mumbai terror attack and various other attacks in India, tops the list, which TIMES NOW has possession of.

The list also includes Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar, the principal accused in the 2001 Parliament attack after his release in exchange of hostages in the Khandhar hijack episode in 1999.

The adult sons of Osama bin Laden have lashed out at President Barack Obama in their first public reaction to their father's death, accusing the United States of violating its basic legal principles by killing an unarmed man, shooting his family members and disposing of his body in the sea.

The statement, provided to The New York Times on Tuesday, said the family was asking why bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida, "was not arrested and tried in a court of law so that truth is revealed to the people of the world."

Citing the trials of Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi leader, and Slobodan Milosevic, the former Serbian leader, the statement questioned "the propriety of such assassination where not only international law has been blatantly violated" but also the principles of presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial were ignored.

"We maintain that arbitrary killing is not a solution to political problems," the statement said, adding that "justice must be seen to be done."

Omar Bin Laden, Son of Osama Bin Laden

The statement, prepared at the direction of Omar bin Laden, who had publicly denounced his father's terrorism, was provided to The Times by Jean Sasson, an American author who helped the younger bin Laden write a 2009 memoir, "Growing Up bin Laden." A shorter, slightly different statement was posted on jihadist websites.

Omar bin Laden, 30, lived with his father in Afghanistan until 1999, when he left with his mother, Najwa bin Laden, who co-wrote the memoir. In the book and other public statements, the younger bin Laden had denounced violence of all kinds, a stance he repeated in the sons' statement.

"We want to remind the world that Omar bin Laden, the fourth-born son of our father, always disagreed with our father regarding any violence and always sent messages to our father, that he must change his ways and that no civilians should be attacked under any circumstances," the statement said. "Despite the difficulty of publicly disagreeing with our father, he never hesitated to condemn any violent attacks made by anyone, and expressed sorrow for the victims of any and all attacks."

Condemning the shooting of one of the al-Qaida leader's wives during the assault on May 2 in Abbottabad, Pakistan, the statement added: "As he condemned our father, we now condemn the president of the United States for ordering the execution of unarmed men and women."

In explaining the killing of bin Laden, Obama administration officials have cited the principle of national self-defence in international law, noting that bin Laden had declared war on the United States, killed thousands of Americans and vowed to kill more.

The sons' statement called on the government of Pakistan to hand over to family members the three wives and a number of children now believed to be in Pakistani custody and asked for a United Nations investigation of the circumstances of their father's death.

None of Osama bin Laden's sons other than Omar, who lives in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, was named in the statement; Sasson said she believed it was approved by three other adult sons who have not lived with their father for many years. Before Osama bin Laden fled Afghanistan in 2001, he had at least 11 sons, one of whom was killed in the assault last week, and nine daughters, by Sasson's count.

In addition to the statement, Sasson shared notes on what Omar bin Laden, who declined to be interviewed directly, had told her by telephone in recent days. The notes describe his struggle, as he came of age, to understand and eventually reject his father's embrace of religious violence.

Omar bin Laden told Sasson that the death of his father "has affected this family in much the same way as many other families" that experience such a loss. But he also described a childhood of "upheavals and relocations" that, she said, "caused his mother and siblings great upset and danger."

Omar bin Laden said that by the age of 18, after al-Qaida had plotted the bombings of two American Embassies in East Africa and two years before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, he had concluded "that the course of action his father was taking was not for him, irrespective of what his father's wishes were," Sasson said.

Eventually he asked his father's permission to leave Afghanistan with his mother and younger siblings. He told Sasson that he "thanks Allah that his father granted his permission for this departure, otherwise the grief the family faces could be even greater."

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Is US ready for a black President?(16, Dec 2006)
In a country where race is still a powerful force, there is speculation that Barack Obama, the senator for Illinois since 2005 might run for President in the next elections. The 45 year old senator graduated from Harvard Law School in 1991 and became the first African - American president of the Harvard Law Review. Enjoying mass adulation, he has been profiled by magazines like Time, Newsweek and Harper's thanks to his best selling book Audacity of Hope. The question of will he or won't he stand for president has become the talking point for Democrats. Though Obama has not commented on the issue, he thinks that people judge you based on your merits and not by your race. Whether U.S is prepared to have a black president or not remains to be seen.

Somalia and Ethiopia brace for war(16, Dec 2006)
The inevitability of war hangs over Mogadishu, Somalia's capital city. Unlike the internal anarchy that has affected the country for the past 15 years, the battle is now with Ethiopia which is threatening to de stabilize the country.

In the past week, the increasingly militant Islamists in control of Mogadishu and much of the rest of the country have begun a food drive and a money drive and have sent doctors and nurses, along with countless young soldiers to the frontlines. Analysts are of the opinion that a full scale conflict between the Islamists and Ethiopia, a country with a strong Christian identity would be disastrous for Somalia, which is already suffering from severe flooding and years of neglect.

India, Russia Desire Iran Issue Solved Through Talks(18, November 2006)
India and Russia agreed that the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through negotiations, before the United Nations Security Council

In a joint press interaction in Delhi, with the visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Iran had the right to pursue its nuclear programme for peaceful, civilian use. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, Tehran must fulfill its obligations and ensure that its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes.

According to Mr. Lavrov, the Security Council's job must be to help and not replace the International Atomic Energy Agency when it came to dealing with Iran.

APEC Summit: Bush Arrives In Vietnam (17, Nov 2006)

US President George W. Bush arrived in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. APEC's 21 member countries and territories were to meet in Hanoi, Vietnam, where North Korea's nuclear dispute and world trade were expected to dominate discussions.

US-pushed regional free-trade proposal will be the top agenda item for Bush. Bush is the fourth US president to visit Vietnam

All are partners with the United States in talks aimed at persuading a defiant North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is about to join the summit by the week end.

Bangladesh Elections Likely By Jan 25

Bangladesh Parliamentary elections may take place by January 25. The poll schedule is likely to be announced by the end of November 2006.

The elections must be conducted during the 90-day tenure of the caretaker government under President Iajuddin Ahmed that took office on October 30.

There are to be no prior consultations with political parties.

Pak test-fired Ghauri V missile(16, Nov 2006)

Pakistan test-fired its 1,300 km range nuclear-capable ballistic missile Hatf V which is also known as Ghauri, is capable of targeting several Indian cities, a day after it reached an agreement with India on nuclear risk reduction.

The launch of the medium-range missile was carried out by troops of the Army Strategic Forces Command, ASFC at the culmination phase of a training exercise held to test the operation readiness of a Strategic Missile Group equipped with Ghauri missile.

The test came a day after the two countries instigated the agreement in New Delhi on reducing the risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons.

Blair warns over Iran threat to West Asia(15, Nov 2006)

British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed US panel that any solution in Iraq must be part of a broader West Asia strategy, while warning that Iran poses a "strategic threat to the region".

Blair mentioned that the Israel-Palestine conflict was the top priority in the region, because extremists were exploiting it to radicalise moderate Muslims.

The British leader called for a change of strategy and pressed Iran to support Western efforts to quell the relentless bloodshed.

National Events:

Jessica Lal Murder Case: Manu Sharma convicted(19, Dec 2006)
The Delhi High court convicted Manu Sharma, son of former Haryana minister and congress leader Vinod Sharma for the murder of Jessica Lal. After he was pronounced guilty, Manu Sharma was immediately sent to Tihar Jail. Jessica Lal was shot dead at South Delhi's restaurant Tamarind Court in 1999. Like in the Priyadarshini Mattoo case, the acquittal of all raised a huge public outcry. The sentence for Manu Sharma is due on 20dec.

Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi acquitted(19, Dec 2006)
RJD chief and Railway minister Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi were acquitted in the 7 year old disproportionate asset (DA) case. Lalu Yadav was accused by BI of amassing property worth over 46 lakh beyond his known source of income when he was the CM of Bihar between1990-1997. His wife Rabri Devi was made a co-accused in the case. The DA case was an offshoot of the fodder scam of 1998 and the duo had to surrender in court and Yadav even had to go to jail. With their acquittal, it was celebration time at the official residence of Rabri Devi in Patna.

By a vote of 85-12, the US Senate voted to support a Bush administration's nuclear plan to sell nuclear technology and fuel to India, which was the most important strategic diplomatic initiative undertaken by President Bush.

In exchange, India is supposed to open some of its plants to international inspections to prove that the fuel won't be diverted for weapons.

With this, the US aim to expand strategic ties with India, the fastest-growing major economy after China.

Investment Protection Agreement With China (16, Nov 2006)
India approved signing an Investment Protection Agreement with Beijing, before Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India i.e. on November 20, 2006 This will increase the investment between China and India and would be in force for 10 years, according to the Information & Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.

Trade between the two countries is expected to touch 20 billion dollars this fiscal, against 18.7 billion dollars last year.

Jessica Lal Murder Case: False Evidence, Said Ram Jethmalani (15, Nov 2006)
In the enduring Jessica Lal murder case, on behalf of the prime accused Manu Sharma, lawyer Ram Jethmalani told the Delhi High Court Division Bench, comprising Justices R.S. Sodhi and P.K. Bhasin that much of the two thirds of the evidence produced by the prosecution are false and fabricated, which have created doubts.

Ram Jethmalani contented to reject the testimonies of socialite Bina Ramani, her husband George Mailhot and their daughter fashion designer Malini Ramani as their statements contradicted one another.

The Bench rejected Mr. Jethmalani's plea for a direction to the Delhi police to hand over to him copies of three reports made by the Special Investigation Team about lapses in investigation so that he could defend his client better.

Joint Panel With Pakistan Discussed Anti-Terror Mechanism
Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan, in a joint panel held positive discussions in New Delhi on setting up an anti-terrorism mechanism.

The discussion included "complete achievement" of Jammu & Kashmir related confidence-building measures agreed to in the past.

The discussion incorporated that the two countries will sign agreement on measures to reduce the risk of nuclear war, in the impending future.

Centre To Lay Norms For Regulating Ads Soon

The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Y. K. Sabharwal has asked the government to lay the guidelines for regulating the advertisements containing political content issued by various government departments.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has convened meetings of states and various departments in December to come out with guidelines on the issue.

Indian Navy To Induct US-Made Helicopters

Indian Navy, for the first time would induct US-made helicopter with the government giving the go-ahead for purchase of six Sikorsky-Seaking Helicopters.

The six helicopters are part of the package deal for the purchase of the Landing ship tank USS Trenton, from which the choppers operate.

While, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had cleared the purchase of Trenton at a cost of Rs.200 crores, the sale of helicopters was being negotiated.

Muslims Lagging Behind Other Groups, Says Sachar Committee

The seven-member committee headed by Rajinder Sachar, a former chief justice of the Delhi High Court, that was set up to go into the social, economic and educational status of Muslims, submitted its report to the Prime Minister, which said the community was "lagging behind" other religious groups in development indicators and asked the government to frame appropriate programmes to address its educational and economic backwardness.

In its report, it said the community was "relatively poor, more illiterate, has lower access to education, lower representation in public and private sector jobs and lower availability of bank credit for self-employment".

Gilgit Baltistan region elected its first Chief Minister Mehdi Shah on the basis of Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment & Self Governance Order 2009. The new appointed CM declare the Gilgit Baltistan region as 5th province of Pakistan. The Indian Govt has, however, of the view that the region was part of J & K, and thus objected to the remarks of CM.

Venezuela devalued it currency ‘Bolivar’.

A massive earthquake strike Haiti, the Carribbean nation. Capital of Haiti is Port-au-Prince.

Mahinda Rajapaksa won a second term as Sri Lanka’s President. He belongs to Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

10. The new money back plan launched by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)in February 16 ?

Jeevan Varsha

11. Who was named Jamaica’s Sportsman of the year for 2008 ?

Triple Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt.

12. The teenager who acted as the main character of “slum dog millionaire ” ?

Dev Patel

13. Which novel has been chosen as the Romantic Novel of the year 2009?

“East of the Sun” set in 1920s by Welsh author Julia Gregson

14. Britan’s Royal Mail issued a set of stamps on February-12 to mark the 200th Anniversary of the birth of a famous Scientist? Who is he ?

Charles Darwin

15. Who is appointed as coach/manager of Chelsea, the premier league club ?

Guus Hiddink, Russian coach
16. Recently the IPL Drug Tribunal has imposed a 12-month ban on a Pakistani Cricket player for consuming a banned substance, Nandralone during the inaugural season of Indian Premiere League. Who is he?

20. "”Slumdog Millionire “ got how many BAFTA awards (British Academy of film and Television Arts)

7 awards including Best Director, Best Film…etc
A.R.Rahman won the BAFTA award for the music of this film.

21. Name of India’s Second humanoid robot which was formally unveiled during Quark-2009, the technical festival at Goa?

Acyut-2

22. Name the Indian who awarded a honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Cambridge, where he served as the Master of Trinity College for six years.

Amartya Sen

23. Who was named African Footballer of the Year 2008?

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor

24. Name the Union Minister for Small Scale Industries in the UPA government who was on charged in a murder case recently ?

Mahavir Prasad

25. The two ships, commissioned by the Indian Navy on 16 February 2009, at Chennai, which are the first two in a series of ten water jet Fast Attack Craft (FAC) being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, GRSE, Kolkata ?.

INS Carnicobar and INS Chetlat

26. Name the 13-YEAR-OLD boy who has become a father in Britain, his wife is just 15.

Alfie Patten. His girlfriend Chantelle Steadman gave birth to Maisie Roxanne in Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex

27. 17th Dulip Trophy Cricket title is won by?
West Zone

28. Which Indian player won BCCI Payer of the year Award?

Virender Sehwag (The award is also known as Polly Umrigar Award)

29. The Indian Musician among the four international musicians to be awarded Grammy for their ‘Global Drum’ project. ?

Zakir Hussain, along with musicians Mickey Hart, Sikiru Adepoju and Giovanni Hidalgo, has been awarded the coveted gramophone for ‘The Global Drum’ in the Best Contemporary World Music Album category.

30. Which players were named joint winners of the Allan Border medal of 2008?

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clark

31. Who won the Australian Open junior title ?

Yuki Bhambri. He becomes the first Indian to win the Australian Open junior title. He outplayed his German opponent Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas to win the Junior Boys title in the Australian Open.

32. Who won the Australian Open women singles title of this year ?
Serena Williams

33. Who won the Man of the Match award in the two 20-20 Cricket matches between India and New Zealand?

Brendon McCullum
34. Who won Rotterdam Open title after beating world number one Rafael Nadal?
Andy Murray of Britain
35. World Cup Cricket 2011 final will be held in which venue ?
Wankade Stadium, Mumbai.

36. Japan's Finance Minister who has resigned, amid claims that he was drunk at a recent G7 meeting?